Cody’s smile looked forced, and Louisa imagined his heart had broken a little too, lightening the tone and dealing with Maggie’s reality the way she would want him to. She kind of loved him for that.

“We’re sure this is a done deal?” Cody asked.

“Death?” Maggie said. “Yeah, it’s pretty final.”

“I mean, there’s nothing they can do for you?”

“Nothing I’m willing to do.”

Louisa had had a similar conversation with Maggie when she first learned about her illness.

“It’s no use,” Louisa said. “She won’t be reasoned with.”

Maggie clapped a hand over Cody’s. “If I get to choose, I’m going out on my own terms, though it is a little disappointing since I never did start my charity.”

Ah, the charity. Maggie hadn’t spoken of it in ages, but it had always been her dream to found an organization to help underprivileged children. Maggie wanted to share Nantucket with everybody she could, and the charity would make that possible. When had she given up on that idea?

He gave her a firm nod; then Maggie leaned back on the love seat. “What brings you by today?”

Louisa had been wondering that herself. Was he here to talk about the fundraiser? Maggie’s party? To tell Louisa he forgave her and wanted to rekindle all the love they once had?

What a stupid idea. She didn’t need a man to be happy. Eric had taught her that. Eric, the crusher of dreams. She was far better off on her own.

Remember that, Louisa.

“I see you dressed your best to come calling.” Maggie chuckled.

“I was out for a run.”

The image of him running alongside the ocean, like a model in a commercial for men’s aftershave, sprang to Louisa’s mind.

“Why?” Maggie asked. “You only get a handful of years on this planet. Running seems like such a torturous way to spend them.”

He smiled. A real smile. It was lovely. And it made Louisa’s toes tingle. For the briefest moment she wondered what the stubble on his chin would feel like underneath her fingertips.

We are not believers in love, Lou, the sensible part of her brain reminded her.

She shoved thoughts of his skin aside while simultaneously wondering how his face smelled after he shaved.

“You look like you have something on your mind,” Maggie said, focused on Cody.

Did he? Louisa studied him for a moment while he was looking at Maggie—tough job, but someone had to do it.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and stared at the ground.

Oh. Maggie was right. He did look like he had something on his mind. Maggie always had a sixth sense about the people she loved. She supposed Cody still fell into that category even though he’d been gone a long time.